Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-28


both worshiping in handsome, commodi-
Gus ehurches-one where st. Joseph's
Catholic church now stands, and the
other IN the present location.
During the whole of the third decade
1857 to 1867, the first church enjoyed
the uninterrupted pastoral service of Rev.
s. T. Wilson. Rev. D. Hayes was sue
ceeded in the pastorate Of the second
church in 1859 by Rev. James Caldwell
who labored for two years, but returned
again two years later remaining until
1866. Meanwhile the Sabbath shoots Of
the two churches united. After Mr.
Caldwell's final departure Rev. MIR. Whet>
more was secured and be was succeeded
by Rev E. L. Burnett.
The fourth decade was the most impor-
tant of the whole history of Presbyter-
ianism in Rock Island. Rev. DR.. Will
son, after a most pleasant and useful pas
torate of over fourteen years, severed his
connection with the First church on
November TO- 1868, and in April of the
year following, Rev. H. A. Newell was
elected pastor. In 1870, when Rev. Mr..
Newell was pastor of the first church and
Rev. Mr.. Bernett pastor of the second,
correspondence was opened up between
the two churches looking toward union.
Meetings were held, propositions were
mutually submitted, and finally in May,
1870, basis of union was agreed upon
by the joint sessions of the
two churches, and was adopted. The
united church was to be known AS
the Presbyterian church of Rock Island,
the congregation to worship in the build
ing of the second church, and Rev. H. A.
Newell was engaged as the first pastor
The sessions of the United church met
for the first time June 8, 1870. There
we're present j. B. Plummer. A. X
Phiileo, c. J. Wilmans, NJ. B. Osborn, J
NJ. Buford, L. B. Requa and E. H
Smythe. Judge George Peasants wa:
requested to take charge of the choir as
musical director, and Mrs. Gaus wa
chosen organist The first board of trus
tees was composed of J. NJ. Buford, f. A
Smythe, C. L. Bascom, Mylo Lee
DR.. Stewart. Judge Peasants, r. R
Cable and DR.. Truesdale. Shortly afte
the union the first church was SOLE, an
is now occupied by st. Joseph's Roma
Catholic church. The second church Wa
, put liz good condition, all debts wer
paid and some IS, 600 remained in tn
= treasury. Rev. Dr. Newell continued q
pastor until 1878. In December of thu
year, Rev. John R. Findlay was Gale
> to the pastorate He remained unit
1878. Sept. IS. 1874. fearful tornad
demolished the church building
Then there was diversion of opil
ion as to future plans. Some favore
others favored the construction of ne
church in some other part of the city
= The majority favored reconstruction {
the old site, and this was done. TT
minority who declined to acquiese in tn
> in May, 1875, formed new church In t
eastern part of the city and has since be,
- known as the Broadway Presbyteri
~ church" Shortly after the orgsnizati'
- of the Broadway church. this church d
- sumed the name of the Central Presb
" terrain church.
' The fifth iecade-from 1877 to 1887
was then taken up Rev. Mr. Findl
" was succeeded by Rev. b. C. WestwoC
w D. D. Rev. ]. A P. Cow, D. D.. "
installed as pastor July IA, 1880.
=" November, 1881. Rev s S. Cryer W
" called, and he continued until Octob
=" 1885. From the departure of Mr., CIR
until May of the present year, the pull
y, was supplied with more regularity
such ministers as were available, WI
an invitation was extended Rev. 4.
'"o Medium, CT San Francisco, to supply
pulpit for one year, and Mr.. Meldr
commenced his labors the first Sabbath
!, July.
" During the fifty years of the churc
va history 1871 members have been
'"0 ceived. At the close of this interest
and able discourse, Mr.. Medium mi
W. the pleasant announcement that the
rec -,
for